Image: Station 19, Northcross Lutheran Church, MN
NorthCross Lutheran Church in Lakeville, Minn., experienced such tremendous growth that its existing site and facility could no longer accommodate the ministry. Leadership needed room to expand the church, to build their ministries more organically, and to grow and connect more authentically with their ministry vision to “lead people to Jesus by sharing timeless truths in a timely way.” A partnership with Station 19 Architects of Minneapolis gave NorthCross Lutheran the ability to build the right plan on the right property.
The church purchased an ideal new site, next to a growing residential neighborhood and adjacent to the local high school, and with the potential of a partnership with a next-door residential senior facility. The odd, triangular shape of the property and its challenging grades would require some innovative design and development, but the location was just what they needed.
Multi-ministry
With the residential senior facility taking the east corner of the property, the NorthCross facility occupies the center of the site and is oriented toward the corner and the heart of the neighborhood. A limited exterior material palate of masonry, neutral-toned stucco, warm wood, and contrasting accents balance relevant and timeless design.
Image: Station 19 Architects
Each space is tailored and individualized to the current NorthCross culture, but flexible enough to adjust for the next generation of ministry.
A 400-seat multi-purpose worship center offers an inviting, sacred space for Sunday worship and allows flexibility for various community and outreach events, with a design that accommodates future growth.
Image: Station 19 Architects
Multi-purpose
Flexible, multi-purpose spaces throughout the building helped stretch the church’s budget to meet their ministry needs of education, gathering, and connection. Minimal and yet playful kids’ education spaces reference a town square park with abstract trees and city building-themed rooms. Each room seamlessly incorporates its theme from the frosted glass overlays to the wall artwork, colors, and furniture. The space creates a kid-friendly space and easy way-finding for both children and their parents.
The main education hallway features a wood-slatted neighborhood that provides durability and interest while blending seamlessly with the wood accents in the lobby atrium and worship space. Linear lights, linear wood-look ceiling clouds, and geometric soffits provide directionality, way-finding, and define points of interest in the larger connection spaces.
Image: Station 19 Architects
Today, NorthCross Church has a variety of flexible ministry spaces ranging from the large community-sized lobby to the muliti-purpose kitchen, sacristy, and volunteer room. Each space is tailored and individualized to the current NorthCross culture, but flexible enough to adjust for the next generation of ministry. It’s a community poised for growth, connecting people and building community.